Bobcat Attack - Ohio Basketball - Jeff Boals: Year 7

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Topic: Jeff Boals: Year 7

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Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame

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Posted: 11/20/2025 9:02 PM

BillyTheCat wrote:expand_more

Everyone can pay up to 22%, but how many are? Where are we? Where are we compared to our peers. That’s my question. You toss around Jeff’s salary as 25% of revenue or whatever, then you randomly toss out a figure we aren’t even close too. We could do better by many actual upgrades or actual cash. So I’ll ask again, do you know what our revenue sharing budget is?

Easy buddy. Take a deep breath. You are a big, important insider and you know all sorts of things. You're very, very important. I'm not claiming otherwise, or claiming to know more than you. Look in the mirror. Say that to yourself. Mean it. It's all gonna be okay.

A couple of quick things though:

1. The revenue number I threw out wasn't random. It was based on an independent Accountant's audit of our athletics department. But I said 2.8 off the top of my head, and I misremembered slightly. It was actually 2.9.

Here's the source: https://ohioauditor.gov/auditsearch/Reports/2024/Ohio_Uni... .

So that means Boals' salary is about ~24% of revenue. I said 25%. Sorry!

2. I don't know our revenue sharing budget. I said that already the last time you asked, and nothing I've said suggests I know. I'm just saying the mere fact that it's now a consideration -- and it wasn't when we negotiated Boals' salary -- makes me think we might look a little more closely at how we allocate money going forward.

Last Edited: 11/20/2025 9:29:54 PM by Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame

Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame

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Posted: 11/20/2025 9:03 PM

BillyTheCat wrote:expand_more

Over the years, it’s amazing how SBH and Bs2 and myself can agree on so many topics. Some of you all got all the answers, but you truly don’t know any of the questions.

One question I now know the answer to: "What's the saddest post I've ever read on BobcatAttack?"

M.D.W.S.T

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Posted: 11/21/2025 9:34 AM

JAF wrote:expand_more

This is what happens when you try to be everything to everybody. In the NIL environment, we cannot sustain high levels of Football and Basketball. Football is a fool's errand. There is no way any MAC team can compete with a P5 conference. Pool the resources, go down to an FCS football program and transition to a strong basketball-only DI conference. The twin headwinds of mid-major revenue and Athens' county demographics make this an easy decision.

lol no

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Posted: 11/21/2025 9:51 AM

I see posts saying Boals is living off two Saul recruits that led them to NCAA Tourney….Preston and BVP. Not arguing that, but he should still get credit for developing those two.

Sears was a major pull as was Dwight Wilson. But Ben Roderick regressed poorly on his watch and it killed us for two years. Forever grateful though for the big 3 BRod did hit against Virginia. I will also say one of the biggest turning points in the Boals era was when Lundo McDay walked away and it’s been downhill in a way ever since. That is not talked about enough.

Feel like there was massive coaching malpractice in the Carter year when we were loaded. He also squandered Dwight Wilson’s extra year with a bizarre minute restriction in the MAC Tournament that still makes me shake my head to this day.

Recruiting hasn’t been good. And yes I know every recruit can’t be a home run and play significant minutes, but we struggle to hit singles and doubles when it comes to recruits straight out of HS. Too many bunt singles and whiffs.

Sam Towns
Jalen White
Colin Granger
Bahamas Ezuma
Adeludon
Sheldon
Nicol
Evans
Walking Bucket

These are just a few off the top of my head.

#BleedGreen #TrentIsGOAT #NoMissesAllowed #NoOtherTeamInAmericaFlexesLikeOhio #11Months

Last Edited: 11/21/2025 10:08:16 AM by FearLeon

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Posted: 11/21/2025 10:16 AM

M.D.W.S.T wrote:expand_more

FJC31 wrote:expand_more

OU_Country wrote:expand_more

Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame wrote:expand_more

Bobcat Tattoo wrote:expand_more

I don’t remember this being a particularly well-received take when I put it out there last year, but I’ll repeat it now as I still believe it has merit: if we move on from Boals (which I’m not necessarily advocating for), reallocate the resources. Instead of paying a new coach $700K, pay him $400K and put $300K toward some combination of NIL and a person to manage the NIL. Boals, and most coaches we would be going after if we were to replace him, aren’t innately good at fundraising/allocating money—this is not what they have spent their career doing and we shouldn’t expect them to suddenly develop that skill.

100% agree.

I'm sure there's a lot of data out there (quick search) to support my notion, but I think you're both well underestimating what the going rate for a good mid-major basketball coach is. Finding someone who is worth his salt as a coach that's interested in coming to Athens for $400k a year seems unlikely.

This link shows some salaries from the NCAA tournament that are public.
https://sportsdata.usatoday.com/ncaa/salaries/mens-basket...

We'd likely be looking at a first time HC in this scenario or a bounce back candidate.

As much as we'd like say "Finding someone who is worth his salt as a coach that's interested in coming to Athens for $400k a year seems unlikely.", there's still only so many D1 head coaching jobs that exist.

I think you'd really have to allocate the budget the way Bobcat Tattoo suggests. From my understanding, Chad Estis was the main cog in jumpstarting the 1804 Collective for Boals. I imagine he's a big donor because of his friendship with Boals. If we move on, we're at risk of losing Estis and anyone else close to Boals who had been donating.

We'd either have to structure a lower offer with an NIL budget or find a coach with financial connections at a higher rate.

Pretty fair assessment.

It's not as simple as saying I hate his offense. Time to fire him.

The stench of firing a former player, a guy who has routinely called this his dream job, a guy who has the only recent NCAA Tournament win in the conference, who has a 60% career win rate, will be hard to wipe off.

Simply paying a coach less and expecting more... ehhhhh... that paying a player or two $50K to come wear the jersey, but play for one of the lowest paid coaches in the country... is a stretch.

I'm not saying people are lining up down the street to play for JEFF BOALS, but that line is probably longer than recruits who simply just want to play for OHIO UNIVERSITY.

Nor do I think we want to get ourselves into a situation where we're renting guys for who dont want to be here as long as the $50K check clears. And they're off to the next team.

Jeff has always been a great ambassador of the university. He's got a lot of deep contacts in the basketball world. Naturally, you'll get the "well its one of 300 jobs", but if you're picking and choosing... one call from Thad, or Diebler, or another of the dozen respected coaches he's pals with in the midwest.... I don't see who we possibly replace with him.

I'm not sure in this era of college sports that many players are lining up to play for a school. Hell, some might not even be lining up to play for a particular coach. It's just where the money/playing time exist that can potentially be parlayed into a bigger opportunity.

I like Boals. He just hasn't really delivered as much winning as I thought he would have by now post-UVA win. Someone commented in one of these thread about Ohio basketball not having an identity under Boals and I tend to agree with that. We've been all over the place with roster builds and no consistent or particular brand of ball.

We haven't had a losing season under Boals. But, are we good with just being middle of the pack with wishful and hopeful thinking come March?

As for a replacement. I have no clue. I mean, Dustin Ford is the only for sure "I'd want the job" hire off the cuff (my own assumption). He'd probably be an equal ambassador for the school and has been the co-architect of some of the best MAC squads this century between Ohio and Akron. There's something to be said for that.

We're two AD's removed from the one who hired Boals. That's never a good place to be for a college coach who is trending in the wrong direction performance wise. Regardless of school ties.

Last Edited: 11/21/2025 10:18:25 AM by FJC31

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Posted: 11/21/2025 10:28 AM

We can't fire a coach/alum without first giving him the resources necessary to win. It's a FACT that today's top recruits (actually their parents) want to talk dollars before even agreeing to visit a school. A beautiful campus and awesome student culture has ZERO to do with their decision. When they do come to Athens, one of their first questions is "Where's your fancy new practice facility?"

"Wait, I can only shoot around during certain hours? I have to schedule my classes around when the floor isn't being used by women's bball, volleyball, wrestling, winter commencement, OHSAA tournament games, etc.? Doesn't sound like a recipe for success to me."

Can we really blame this on Jeff Boals?

Last Edited: 11/21/2025 10:28:40 AM by SBH

FJC31

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Posted: 11/21/2025 10:39 AM

SBH wrote:expand_more

I mean, these are his rosters and his coaching decisions. That said and on the contrary, do you think Javan Simmons (or any player for that matter) cares about the shoot around hours after the money he receives?

He left a school with a practice facility for one without.

Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame

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Posted: 11/21/2025 10:40 AM

SBH wrote:expand_more

It depends what you're grading Boals on. If you think the biggest issue is Recruiting, then I think your point's a valid one. And there's no doubt there's a direct correlation between investment and results and more money is better than less money.

But I think there is also plenty of very warranted criticism about Boals' as a basketball coach, completely independent of recruiting. How confident are we that he gets the most out of the talent he has, that he's willing/capable to adapt his system to the players he gets, that he's a good in-game coach?

Last season, MAC coaches looked at our roster and thought it was the most talented one and picked us to win the league. Boals' peers seem to think he's getting enough talent, so I'm not fully convinced that this is as cut and dry as saying he's simply not been given the resources needed.

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Posted: 11/21/2025 11:28 AM

Was listening to a college football podcast the other day discussing the coaching carousel and something stuck out to me that directly relates to this situation.

"Sometimes the Mama called job doesn't work out."

"Mama called" in this case would be the alma mater getting an alum of the program to be your head coach. As much as you want it to work out, as much as it makes sense, sometimes it just doesn't work.

Boals has worked to a degree so far. I am curious to see if he was given the resources he needs to compete in this era of NIL and portal windows how he would actually do. But as BLSS mentioned, he's had good enough tools in his tool box and still wasn't able to get it done.

To answer FJC31's question, I would unequivocally answer "no" that Boals being middle of the pack every year and hoping for lightning in a bottle come March just isn't good enough. Regardless of the 1-bid league we play in.

Last Edited: 11/21/2025 11:29:35 AM by GoCats105

M.D.W.S.T

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Posted: 11/21/2025 11:44 AM

Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame wrote:expand_more

If you think the biggest issue is Recruiting, then I think your point's a valid one.

Boals Recruiting Classes:
2020: 2nd
2021: 5th (Clayton + Carter, doesn't appear transfers count in the class rank, but I'd say this could be revised)
2022: 1st
2023: 7th (Nicol + 2 transfers don't appear to be included in the ranks)
2024: 1st
2025: Neither ON3 or 247 have us listed as having any recruits, which is odd, but JJ Kelly, Fisher, Mosley, Breath, Simmons is a solid one and is likely #1 or #2
2026: TBD (McKinney, Bowens, Davis - likely another top class)

Last Edited: 11/21/2025 11:54:27 AM by M.D.W.S.T

Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame

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Posted: 11/21/2025 1:19 PM

M.D.W.S.T wrote:expand_more

Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame wrote:expand_more

If you think the biggest issue is Recruiting, then I think your point's a valid one.

Yeah, I guess "recruiting" is probably too specific a word given that the portal plays such a critical role.

Another way to look at it:

2020: JP was 2nd team all MAC, and BVB was 3rd team.
2021: JP 1st Team, BVP and Dwight 3rd team
2022: Sears & BVP 1st Team, Carter 3rd Team
2023: Wilson 2nd team
2024: Hunter 2nd, Clayton 3rd Team
2025: Pavs and Clayton 3rd team

This year, we've got guys on the 1st team and second pre-season All MAC teams. In that period, we're second in the conference in terms of All Mac 1st/2nd/3rd team appearances behind Toledo.

1. Toledo 15
2. Ohio 13
3. Akron 12
4. Kent State 9
5. (tie) Buffalo 8
5. (tie) Ball State 8
5. (tie) Bowling Green 8
8. (tie) Eastern Michigan 4
8 (tie) Miami (OH) 4
8 (tie) Central Michigan 4
11 (tie) NIU 3
11 (tie) Western Michigan 3

Last Edited: 11/21/2025 1:21:02 PM by Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame

bobcatsquared

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Posted: 11/21/2025 1:23 PM

M.D.W.S.T wrote:expand_more

2026: TBD (McKinney, Bowens, Davis - likely another top class)

Needing help here. I'm familiar with the Reynoldsburg duo - McKinney and Bowens. But who is Davis? Do you mean Levi Davis from Olentangy Orange? He's a football recruit, although he did start for Orange's state title team in basketball as a junior. I don't believe basketball is in his plans for college.

Last Edited: 11/21/2025 1:23:33 PM by bobcatsquared

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Posted: 11/21/2025 1:31 PM

I believe McKinney and Bowens are the only 2026 commits to date.

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M.D.W.S.T

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Posted: 11/21/2025 2:03 PM

bobcatsquared wrote:expand_more

M.D.W.S.T wrote:expand_more

2026: TBD (McKinney, Bowens, Davis - likely another top class)

In one of my 900 open tabs, I had this one up:

https://prephoops.com/college/ohio-university /

For some reason it includes Davis with McKinney and Bowens.

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Posted: 11/22/2025 10:00 AM

SBH wrote:expand_more

The Convo's design, especially the roof, limits our options. There is a cool plan making the rounds but is probably 7-10 years away.

Purdue's Arena is the same building with out the Dorms. Roof did not limit the remodel

https://www.turnerconstruction.com/projects/purdue-univer...

https://dlz.com/projects/purdue-university-mackey-arena-e... /

https://evansvillereport.com/6-7-million-approved-for-mac... /

Now that it is done it is becoming one of the more intimidating places to play a road game. No Suites, no boxes. Just basically the same building with increased seating. Most of them are benches. Chairbacks in Season Tix area.

https://ussportupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/imag...

'**Expanded Seating for Growing Demand**
Responding to rising ticket demand over the past decade, the revamped Mackey Arena now boasts a seating capacity of 22,500—up from the original 14,876. The new design ensures that every seat, from court-side to upper-level, provides unobstructed views and acoustics that amplify the arena’s signature intensity.

In addition, special family zones, accessible seating, and student-specific sections with enhanced amenities ensure inclusivity and comfort for all types of fans. The student section, in particular, has been expanded and now features synchronized lighting systems and team-themed interactive features to further energize Purdue’s famous home-court advantage.

Despite its grandeur, sustainability remains a core tenet of the new Mackey Arena. The renovation has achieved LEED Platinum certification, utilizing solar power, water reclamation systems, and sustainable construction materials throughout. All lighting has been replaced with energy-efficient LEDs, and even the new seating is made from recycled materials.

“This isn’t just about being the best,” said Purdue Athletic Director Mike Bobinski. “It’s about being the best responsibly.”

never argue with idiots, they bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.

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Posted: 11/22/2025 7:34 PM

bornacatfan wrote:expand_more

SBH wrote:expand_more

The Convo's design, especially the roof, limits our options. There is a cool plan making the rounds but is probably 7-10 years away.

You questioning SBH? What you do not recognize is that the Convo is built above ground, meaning on stilts, while Mackey is built into the ground, with actual underground tunnels to various facilities. same design from concept, far from same buildings.

Last Edited: 11/22/2025 7:36:41 PM by BillyTheCat

Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame

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Posted: 11/22/2025 7:42 PM

BillyTheCat wrote:expand_more

bornacatfan wrote:expand_more

SBH wrote:expand_more

The Convo's design, especially the roof, limits our options. There is a cool plan making the rounds but is probably 7-10 years away.

What if you shared that insight without being a giant prick?

SBH

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Posted: 11/23/2025 9:03 AM

I have no doubt Purdue did a nice job in renovating their building. But the talk here of adding suites (for which there is VERY limited demand) would mean altering the inner shell of the building, which I don't think is possible due to the unique nature of the roof. My understanding of the future plan here is to add a building to the front of the Convo, extending from the garage level to the roof and as wide as the lobby section. This curved building would serve multiple purposes - a practice gym below the current ramp level, a new entrance/lobby and visitor center, and a classroom facility focused on digital media via the Comms. school. Gotta be a $60MM project, at least, but much of that figure would be an investment in classroom space, so state capital funds would help.

Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame

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Posted: 11/23/2025 10:31 AM

I definitely have a lot of trouble understanding who is going to buy luxury boxes in Athens, OH.

I guess the Convo has become so multi-use that replacing it altogether isn't straightforward, but ~$65m seems like the cost of a new arena. That's about what Georgia Southern paid, more than what Fairfield paid, more than the cost at BG.

Curious if the plan floating around reduces the capacity at all, or just adds to the building.

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Posted: 11/24/2025 9:43 AM

JAF wrote:expand_more

QFT.

Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame

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Posted: 11/24/2025 10:19 AM

One thing I'm curious about regarding revenue share is what sort of revenue's can be shared, and whether there are any restrictions on that.

Looking at our 2023 Basketball budget, you see:

Ticket sales: 466,573
Direct institutional support: 1,461,145
Indirect institutional support: 311,398
Guarantees: 121,070
Contributions: 26,329
Media rights: 38,500
NCAA distributions: 318,660
Conference distributions: –
Conference distributions of bowl generated revenue: –
Program, novelty, parking and concession sales: 41,879
Royalties, licensing, advertisements and sponsorships: –
Sports camp revenue: 137,336
Athletics restricted endowment and investment income: 18,807
Other operating revenue: 850
Total operating revenue: 2,942,547

The biggest number's "Direct institutional support" -- is all of this "revenue" fair game for revenue share, or are there limitations? Anybody know?

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Posted: 11/24/2025 4:13 PM

That sad media rights number tells you where we are in the national pecking order. We are not in demand.

"Loyalty to a hometown or city is fleeting and interchangeable, but college is a stamp of identity."- Kyle Whelliston, One Beautiful Season.

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Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame

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Posted: 11/24/2025 5:06 PM

JSF wrote:expand_more

That sad media rights number tells you where we are in the national pecking order. We are not in demand.

I'm not quite sure how to interpret that number. It matches football exactly, so I'm not sure what it reflects, exactly.

But basically because Media Rights are such a small line-item, it's not subject to as much scrutiny and reporting.

Last Edited: 11/24/2025 5:08:49 PM by Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame

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Posted: 11/24/2025 5:45 PM

Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame wrote:expand_more

Pretty crazy that running camps is our 2nd highest revenue generator for basketball. (outside of OU using student fees to pay for indirect/direct support, and NCAA handouts)

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Posted: 11/24/2025 8:00 PM

Don't mean this as an overreaction to a blowout loss to GMU, but what's Boals' current contract status and what kind of buyout would be required if he was let go?